BAF Strategic Fleet Review

[Markam]

Message Class: Audio-Visual
Encryption: Gin & Tonic
From: Admiral John Redmond

---

Fleet Admiral Edmund Steiner, esteemed colleagues of the Admiralty Board,

With the war coming to an end, I have taken the liberty to draft up plans for the BAF fleet moving ahead, how we are to best use what assets we currently have, and outlined a plan for future fleet construction.

Naturally it is but a draft, but hopefully it may form the basis for discussion, amendments and comments from yourself and other board members. We must prioritize our recovery to pre-war strengths, and to create a fleet that will be able to meet all threats.

Strategic Fleet Review DRAFT

---

Bretonian Armed Forces Fleet Review 826

---

Following the cessation of large scale operations against the Gallic crown, the Admiralty has to conduct operations to secure Bretonia and to build required capabilities to meet future needs and ensure long term stability for Bretonia as a whole. Below is a list of current fleets and their area of operations & responsibilities, as well as future requirements and their intended purpose.

---

Norfolk Battlegroup

---

Operation Command:
Sir Edmund Steiner, Fleet Admiral
Goal:
To secure our northern border in the short term, and to rotate with the MacDuff once the latter regains full operational status.
Operation Overview:
The Norfolk is responsible for preventing further damage to the devastated region, and facilitating the rebuild of space assets, and the Outpost established on the former Industrial center that was planet Leeds. Assets of the Norfolk Battlegroup are also to support efforts to re-establish trade with Kusari, and to secure Harris for the purpose of completion of Terraforming efforts and to provide a home for displaced Leeds Refugees.
Fleet Location:
Based in the Leeds system.
Status:
Moving to position in Leeds to begin operations.

---

Essex Battlegroup

---

Operation Command:
John Redmond, Admiral
Goal:
To secure Dublin from disruptive forces and maintain Bretonias age long hold over the Gold mining in that system.
Operation Overview:
Dublin has been empty for a period following the invasion of New London, and while civilian defense and the well placed Graves mine field has kept hostile elements at bay, the Essex must return to Dublin at the earliest opportunity to make safe the system for good. The Athos and GRI elements are a short term concern that may remedy themselves, but the Mollys and to a considerably lesser extent the IMG must be contained. The IMG based on the Hood, considering the strategic vulnerability of the station may be dealt with efficiently.
Fleet Location:
Based in the Dubln system.
Status:
Conducting remote operations from New London, aiming to move to Dublin in short order.

---

MacDuff Battlegroup

---

Operation Command:
Gray Williamson Miller, Commodore
Goal:
Conduct repairs and return to operational status, take up Norfolks role as guardian of the south until relieved.
Operation Overview:
The MacDuff, famous from its long participation in the Tau war and Gallia wars, suffered damage during the New London battle and is now to be repaired at Aland. The Norfolk has taken up its mantle in return, and moves north. As such, the MacDuff, once repaired must maintain security of Omega 3 and Cambridge as the Norfolk long has. Mid to long term it may be replaced and return to its former duties.
Fleet Location:
Based in the Omega-3 system.
Status:
Under repair.

---

Ark Royal Battlegroup

---

Operation Command:
Paul McKinley, Admiral
Goal:
Maintain current operation as defender of Newcastle, ensure the Embrun is destroyed or routed from the system.
Operation Overview:
Once the system is fully secured, to extend operations to adjacent system and potentially to Tau-31. Reconnection of Newcastle vital to ensure supplies received to allow such an operation.
Fleet Location:
Based in the Newcastle system.
Status:
In position.

---

Stirling Battlegroup

---

Operation Command:
John Redmond, Admiral
Goal:
Defend Planet Sydney and Omega-49 to the best of its abilities.
Operation Overview:
Stirling is vulnerable. An aged battleship with very little shelf life, it was able to secure a mostly undefended system and provide Leeds Refugees with place to settle away from the war, but in the long term it is in dire need of replacement. Stirling may be decommissioned once relieved, potentially handed to the BPA for use in Poole or Omega-3 (direct replacement to the Gwent).
Fleet Location:
Based in the Omega-49 system.
Status:
In position.

---

Harlow Battlegroup

---

Operation Command:
Michelle O'Brien, Admiral
Goal:
To return from Cortez to New London, and secure the planet and shipyard. Recommended that the small fleet be upgraded to full fleet status, though of a different configuration.
Operation Overview:
Harlow currently secures Cortez and Manchester, with Manchester being of diminished importance and containing a heavy BPA presence the Harlow may be moved to New London and receive reinforcement to achieve full fleet status. Due to current lack of capacity to build battleship class ships, the Harlow should consist of a heavy Battlecruiser force, making the fleet a mobile response fleet that may engage in environments suited to its configuration.
Fleet Location:
Based in the New London system.
Status:
In Cortez, moving back to Manchester.

---

Grimsby Battlegroup

---

Operation Command:
CLASSIFIED
Goal:
Maintain current duty.
Operation Overview:
Fleet size not to be extended, maintain small size with current CLASSIFIED duties.
Fleet Location:
CLASSIFIED
Status:
CLASSIFIED

---

York Battlegroup (to be constructed)

---

Operation Command:
Undetermined
Goal:
Once constructed, the York is to return to its previous posting of Leeds, with the Norfolk returning to Cambridge and the MacDuff to Tau.
Operation Overview:
To fully secure the Leeds system and watch over our border. The York is to be a Invincible class Bretonia Dreadnought battlegroup, a fleet configuration that will allow the York to hold ground against equally large classes of ships. Dreadnoughts will serve primarily in open space and avoid asteroid fields.
Fleet Location:
Yet to be laid down.
Status:
Yet to be laid down.

---

Suffolk Battlegroup (to be constructed)

---

Operation Command:
Undetermined.
Goal:
To relieve the Harlow as defender of New London, and to form part of the trinity group of 3 Bretonia Dreadnought battlegroups, capable of forming an impenetrable barrier against invading forces.
Operation Overview:
The recommissioned Suffolk group will replace the old Suffolk group lost in the New London battle, and become the new flagship of the fleet and defender of New London. In times of war, it will form with the York and Derby to serve as a defensive barrier against invaders.
Fleet Location:
Yet to be laid down.
Status:
Yet to be laid down.

---

Derby Battlegroup (to be constructed)

---

Operation Command:
Undetermined
Goal:
To relieve the Norfolk on a long term basis in Cambridge, with the Norfolk relocating to Omega 49 to replace the Stirling.
Operation Overview:
Form part of the Trinity defensive trio of Bretonia Dreadnoughts, becoming the southern pillar in Cambridge. All three battlegroups may form at any given border area (Leeds, Manchester or Cambridge), and face any potential invasion of Bretonia as an unmovable wall.
Fleet Location:
Yet to be laid down.
Status:
Yet to be laid down.

---

---

With this, in the long term we will have in our possession a full fleet strength of 3 Bretonian Dreadnought Fleets, 4 Dunkirk Fleets, an improved Harlow Fleet (highly mobile Battlecruiser heavy fleet), and two minor fleets in the Stirling and Grimsby, the former to be retired following being relieved.

As such, we will return to a pre-war equivalent strength of 8 fleets (current; 5 (sub strength Harlow included)), and our defensive capabilities will be much improved with the Dreadnought Trinity.

Regards,

---

Admiral John Redmond
Dreadnought Venerable, Essex Battlegroup
Bretonian Armed Forces

---

Transmission Terminated

---

Markam is evil